Letter to the Editor: Who’s to Blame for the Shortage of CDEs?

You are right when you wrote that CDE’s were becoming an endangered species, but were you aware that the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators (NCBDE) is part of the problem?

I earned a Master’s in Public Health (MPH) from UCLA in the late eighties. Because of the growing public health problem of type 2 diabetes, I decided to become an “expert” in that area. I passed the exam and became a CDE, and I have worked successfully in the field for close to 15 years. I recently passed my exam for the third time with flying colors.

Here is my concern – the NCBDE has decided to no longer accept an MPH or other master’s level health education degree as meeting their criteria to become a CDE. Anyone who received a degree after 2005 is no longer eligible to sit for the exam. I have written their board several times addressing the matter, and I have notified the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) of my concerns. Unfortunately, nothing has changed. In fact, I dropped my membership with the AADE since they did not appear to support my efforts. A colleague of mine who is an excellent educator-also with the MPH background-is unable to take the exam even though she graduated prior to 2005. Why? Because the NCBDE also set a 5-year time limit from graduation to the time one applies. She was essentially penalized for taking a break to raise her family.

I would think that both organizations would be doing all they can to grow the field. They should recognize that non-RNs and RDs are quite capable of doing the job and doing it well. There is more than enough to do for everyone. I urge anyone with similar concerns to write to the boards at both the NCBDE and the AADE.

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Greetings from Nadia

A few facts about me in case you are new to my column and site.

My life in the diabetes community started at a young age as the secret keeper of my maternal and paternal Grandmothers. They both had type 2 diabetes and my days spent alone with them exposed me to their misunderstanding of how their diabetes really affected them. Eating candy bars, hiding the candy wrappers and smoking cigarettes seemed innocent enough to them. A decade later I married a type 1 person living with diabetes and experienced the full court of the diabetes spectrum with my type 2 family members and type 1 husband of almost 20 years.

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My grandmothers, the type 2 have struggled with their diabetes as long as I could remember. Later my mother followed in her mother’s footsteps. Sadly, my brother followed in my mother’s footsteps and experienced an early passing at the age of 53. My brother Jamal’s passing had the greatest impact on me. Probably because were the Irish twins; eleven months apart and his departure devastated me.

As I tell most people, diabetes is not a glamorous profession. Most people that work in the industry have a personal connection. This is why I am still here publishing after 26 years.

On the flip side of the coin, helping and inspiring people is my mission. I understand the daily challenges you face regardless of your education, IQ and economic circumstance. I am not a healthcare professional. Simply a lay person who has lived with a Type 1 and Type 2 family member who struggled with their disease. My former Type 1 husband was a role model in how to manage your diabetes, while my intelligent family members were role models on how an invisible disease can be misunderstood, devastating the quality of their life while leaving heart broken family members behind.

The perils of my experience have taught me to never judge anyone. As knowledgeable as I am, I also realize that I have no idea of the strings that pull at each person heart.

What I love about the diabetes community?

Once I meet someone and we share that we have a common experience; their diabetes and my life long experience as a care taker, we tend to have an instant bond. Think about it. How many people do you meet who you feel really get you right after your introduction? The conversations that follow tend to be very personal. Not a common experience with all strangers.

AskNadia Column

I started this column because where ever I go, people tend to ask me a lot of diabetes questions.

My answers are my opinions and it is not to be replaced by your healthcare professional’s opinion. The answers to your question in most cases will include research and other links to give you a borader perspective on your question.